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University Communities Council
 
Chair Vice Chair Vice Chair
Elizabeth (Betsy) C. Paterson Erica Gilmore Nancy Chaney
Mayor, Mansfield, Ct Councilmember,Nashville-Davidson, TN Mayor, Moscow, ID
Council Background and Purpose
The University Communities Council (UCC) is a voluntary group of elected officials from municipalities with a university or institution of higher education within its borders or within an adjacent municipality. This NLC Council was formed in 1977 as a member group to encourage the active involvement of university communities in the organization, its policy-making process and in programs at NLC.
The Council's objectives are to assist cities, NLC and state municipal leagues in gathering, sharing and analyzing information about opportunities, issues and policies of interest to university communities. It also serves to foster a spirit of cooperation between universities, colleges and city and town governments.
Issues for University Communities
University Communities Council members are active in the National League of Cities and share the challenges and objectives of NLC member cities. However, there are problems and opportunities which are unique to university communities, especially small cities where a university is a dominant factor in the community.
Off-campus student housing, parking problems, student revelry, alcohol and noise violations, and tax-free properties may not be significant problems for most cities and towns, but for cities with universities, these represent real problems with real cost implications. Conversely, university towns have opportunities to utilize the expertise of university staff for scientific and operational problems. University fellows and student interns assigned to specific projects are examples of city/town partnerships. Joint economic development projects are another example.
The UCC exists to help members share information and make useful contacts. Our members consult each other throughout the year by exchanging calls, email messages, articles, and periodic visits. There is a good chance that you will find members who have experience with most university community issues that concern you.
Next Meeting
The Council convenes annually at both the Congressional City Conference and Congress of Cities .
University Communities News and Information
New Publications:
Communities of Opportunity: Smart Growth Strategies for Colleges and Universities
Presentations and Information:
NLC's Institute for Youth, Education and Families (IYEF)
Alternative High School Initiative Overview
Keeping Youth in School and Preparing Them for the Workforce
Innovative Programs to Enhance Neighborhood Relationships: Where Students and Long-Term Residents Coexist
Articles:
Why College Towns are Looking Smart - Wall Street Journal - March 24, 2009
Information Sharing
The Town and Gown Association (ITGA) is a non-profit organization that brings together leaders from college and university campuses and communities. Their website has an online forum in which participants can share information and ask questions of each other.
UCC 2010 Steering Committee
Elizabeth Paterson, Mayor, Mansfield, Connecticut (Chair)
University of Connecticut
Nancy Chaney, Mayor, Moscow, Idaho (Vice Chair)
New Saint Andrews College
University of Idaho
Erica Gilmore, Councilmember, Nashville-Davidson, Tennessee (Vice Chair)
American Baptist College
Aquinas College
Belmont University
Fisk University
Freewill Baptist Bible College
Lipscomb University
Tennessee State University
Trevecca Nazarene University
Vanderbilt University
David Baker, Mayor, Kenmore, Washington
Bastyr University
Michael Blynn, Council Member, North Miami, Florida
Florida International University
Johnson and Wales University
James Cavanaugh, Mayor, Goodyear, Arizona
Maricopa Community College
Franklin Pierce University
University of the Incarnate World
University of St. Francis
Carolyn T. Comitta, Council Member, West Chester, Pennsylvania
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Delores Connor, Councilor, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Dona Ana Community College
New Mexico State University
Johnny L. DuPree, Ph.D., Mayor, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi
William Carey College
Jodi Guerin, Mayor, Laramie, Wyoming
University of Wyoming
Pete Haga, Community/Government Relations Officer, Grand Forks, North Dakota
University of North Dakota
Phil Lieberman, Councilmember, Glendale, Arizona
Arizona State University-West
Midwestern University
Thomas McCarthy, Council President, Bridgeport, Connecticut
St. Vincent’s College
University of Bridgeport
Diana McGlone, Councilor, Middletown, Pennsylvania
Penn State University
Mark Mitchell, Council Member, Tempe, Arizona
Arizona State University
Maricopa Community College
Rio Salado College
University of Advancing Technology
Susan Narvaiz, Mayor, San Marcos, Texas
Austin Community College
Texas State University
John Noak, Mayor, Romeoville, Illinois
Benedictine University
Joliet Junior College
Lewis University
Rasmussen College
University-St. Francis
Tim Reed, Mayor, Brookings, South Dakota
College of Nursing
Dakota State University
Minnesota West Comm & Tech
South Dakota State University
Randy Riggs, Councilmember, Waco, Texas
Baylor University
Texas State Technical College
Alice Rodriquez, Council Member, Waco, Texas
Baylor University
Texas State Technical College
David Ruesink, Mayor Pro Tem, College Station, Texas
Texas A & M
Sam Seidel, Councilor, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge College
Harvard University
Lesley University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Karl Skala, Council Member, Columbia, Missouri
Columbia College
Stephens College
University of Missouri
Betty Taylor, Councilor, Eugene, Oregon
Eugene Bible College
Northwest Christian College
University of Oregon
James Taylor, Councilmember, Littleton, Colorado
Arapahoe Community College
University of Phoenix-Denver Campus
John Thomaides, Council Member, San Marcos, Texas
Austin Community College
Texas State University
AmyMarie Vizzo-Paniccia, Councilwoman, Bridgeport, Connecticut
St. Vincent’s College
University of Bridgeport
Get Involved
Although all are welcome to attend meetings of the Council at NLC conferences, formal membership requires appointment by the NLC president. For more information on the membership process or general questions about the University Communities Council, contact the NLC staff listed below.
NLC Staff
The following NLC staff members support the activities of the NLC University Communities Council.
Ann Kelly, kelly@nlc.org, (202) 626-3139
Tata Sidibe, sidibe@nlc.org, (202) 626-3188 |